Quinzhee Socks

/ˈkwɪnzi/

“A Canadian snow shelter that is made from a large pile of loose snow which is shaped then hollowed to create a domed chamber inside. A quinzhee can be made for winter camping and survival purposes, or for fun.”

What’s more fun than handmade woolly socks to keep your toes warm on chilly days? The signature zigzag ‘Quinzhee cables’ not only look great but create a highly textured ribbed fabric which has lots of warmth and stretch. My husband absolutely loves ribbed socks because they provide such a great fit and they have definitely become his most worn pair by far!

Instant PDF download

£4.25 – Buy Now

The Quinzhee Socks are knit from the top down and in the round. The cuff features a simple 1×1 rib in a contrast colour (if you wish!) and then the slip stitch ‘Quinzhee’ cable design is worked around the whole leg. The heel turn is of a traditional heel flap and gusset construction then the cable design continues along the top of the foot until the toe is worked which is a classic wedge shape. The instructions are intended to be ‘needle type neutral’ so work whether you are using Magic loop, a small ‘sock’ circular needle or DPN’s. Markers are used to mark the beginning/end of the round and the halfway point of the stitch count. If using Magic loop this corresponds to the start of needle 1 and start of needle 2. For DPN’s, the start of needle 1 and start of needle 3. If you prefer knitting socks on a small ‘sock’ circular needle, then simply place the markers as instructed.

A. Leg length from top of cuff to bottom of heel

B. Foot circumference

0.5” (1.25cm) negative ease is recommended for the Baby, Toddler and Child sizes and 1” (2.5cm) negative ease is recommended for the Small, Medium and Large sizes. Therefore, pick a size between 0.5”-1” (1.25cm-2.5cm) smaller than the actual foot circumference, depending on recipient and intended fit.

Sizing in Inches

	A	B
Baby	3	5
Toddler	4.5	5.5
Child	6	6.5
Small	7	7
Medium	7.5	8
Large	8	9

Sizing in Centimetres

	A	B
Baby	7.5	12.5
Toddler	11.5	14
Child	15	16.5
Small	17.5	17.5
Medium	19	20
Large	20	22.5

The sample sock is the Large size worn with the recommended 1” negative ease. Knit in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply Solids, the main colourway is ‘129 Dusty Millar’ and the contrast colour is ‘157 Juniper’.

Suggested Yarns

For the main colour, 4ply sock weight yarn with approximately 400m (437yds) per 100g. For the contrast colour yarn, 20g of the same yarn type should be sufficient.

Required Meterage (Yardage)

Main colour (MC): 205 (240, 295) (330, 365, 410) m / 224 (262, 323) (361, 399, 448) yds.

This equates to 1 (1, 1) (1, 1, 2) balls of 4ply sock weight yarn with approximately 400m (437yds) per 100g, for all sizes.

Contrast colour (CC): 1 mini skein (20g) of the same yarn type should be sufficient for all sizes.

*Required meterage (yardage) is based on the specified gauge and recommended yarn, plus extra for swatching and assuming a large shoe size of a men’s UK 10.5 (EUR 45, US 11).